College baseball notebook: OSU bullpen playing big

Oklahoma State gave up just three hits and one run in Tuesday night’s win over Oklahoma.

Just one of those hits came in four innings of work from the Cowboys’ bullpen.

Oklahoma State relief pitcher Vince Wheeland (35) throws from the mound against Baylor in the third inning of an NCAA college baseball game on Saturday, March 22, 2014, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

It’s been a familiar spot for OSU this season.

Cowboys relievers have allowed just 29 earned runs in 141 2/3 innings for an ERA of 1.84.

Two of the big pieces of that bullpen have been freshman BlakeBattenfield and senior closer Brendan McCurry.

Battenfield, a Verdigris product, has yet to allow a run — earned or unearned — in 23 1/3 innings.

“He’s done an outstanding job,” Cowboys coach Josh Holliday said. “He’s been very poised from start to finish and continues to come in and shorten ballgames up by giving us one or two quality innings out of the bullpen each time out.”

McCurry, the Cowboys’ closer from Tupelo, has allowed just one earned run while striking out 24 in nine innings. He has five saves.

Senior Vince Wheeland has also been stellar, with a 1.17 ERA in 30 2/3 innings. All but one of his 13 appearances have come from the bullpen.

Opponents are hitting just .192 against OSU’s relievers.

Oklahoma State hosts Texas Tech this weekend.

‘SHAVE FOR THE BRAVE’

The Sooners held their “Shave for the Brave” event following practice on Thursday, with Oklahoma players and coaches shaving their heads as part of a fundraising and awareness-building effort benefitting the Vs. Cancer Foundation.

OU raised more than $22,000. The money will be split between the foundation and OU Children’s Hospital.

KEEPING IT CLOSE

That Cowboys bullpen has helped OSU be excellent in one-run games this season and allowed them plenty of opportunities to come back.

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Ryan Aber has worked for The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Barons and OU football recruiting. An Oklahoma City native, Aber graduated from Northeastern State. Before joining The...